Q: As a new employee, how long do I have to decide to enroll in insurance coverage?
A: New hires have 60 days from their hire date to elect to enroll in health, dental, and/or vision insurance.
Q: As a new employee, when will my benefits begin?
A: Health insurance can begin as early as the 1st of month following date of hire; however, fringe benefit dollars, and associated insurance paid with fringe monies, will not begin until the 1st of the month following a full calendar month after hire date.
Q: Who is considered an eligible dependent on my insurance?
A: Eligible dependents include spouse or domestic partner, with copy of marriage certificate or State registration documentation; natural born children, with copy of birth certificate, or adopted children, with copy of birth certificate and adoption paperwork; and children in a parent-child relationship, with copy of birth certificate and affidavit of parent-child relationship.
Q: What if I choose not to enroll in health coverage?
A: An additional $300 annually will be added to the fringe benefit allotment (an additional $25 per month).
Q: If I decline coverage in health, dental, and/or vision insurance, can I enroll at a later date?
A: Yes. Events allowing for enrollment are: loss of other coverage, effective 1st of month following loss (documentation is required); open enrollment, usually held in the Fall with effective date of January 1st of new calendar year; and late enrollment, effective 1st of month following a 90 day waiting period from date of request.
Q: How long can an eligible, dependent child or children remain on my insurance plans?
A: Eligible dependent children can be covered until the 1st of the month following their 26th birth date, whether they are a full-time student or not. If a covered dependent child is disabled at the time of their 26th birth date, continuation of coverage is granted with medical certification documented (which requires periodic updating).
Q: If I retire with lifetime health benefits, am I required to enroll in Medicare?
A: Yes. For those retirees who qualify for Medicare A and B, having paid enough quarters into the social security system, or, qualifying through a spouse, our health contract mandates enrollment in Medicare Part A and B when they become eligible. Enrollment in Part B can be deferred if you plan to retire after attaining age 65.
Q: Can I continue to cover my eligible dependents after I retire?
A: Yes. Unless changes are requested in writing prior to your retirement, all covered dependents will continue until/unless they become ineligible. Health premiums for eligible dependents are taken directly from the PERS/STRS retirement check; however, without any fringe offset as that benefit does not continue beyond retirement. Changes requested to your health coverage after retirement are to be referred to CalPERS, our retiree health administrator.
Q: Can I continue dental and/or vision coverage after I retire?
A: Yes. Continuation of dental and/or vision insurance would be at the retirees own cost. NOCCCD utilizes OptumHealth Financial Services, Inc. to support the premium collection for retiree dental and/or vision benefits. If you choose to continue this coverage, you will be required to pay premiums on a monthly basis.